Strut-cover of stream-line surface.



e. R. EDDELBUTTEL-RBIMERS. STRUT COVER OF STREAM LINE SURFACE.

, APPLIUATIOH FILED D30. 8, 1913. 1 1 ,1 04,254, Patented Julya21HHHIQUI HI HHHAHHI I I U WHMI U.

lnlllllll uullllllr I JT NMHHHHNJHHW l Y ITNESSES:

' UNITED STATES Pn fENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV R. EDDELBUTTEL-REIMERS, 0F GENEVA, WASHING-TON.

STRUT-COVER OF STREAM-LINE SURFACE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 21, 1914.

Original application filed June 28, 1912, Serial No. 706,481. Dividedand this application filed December 8, 1913. Serial No. 805,417.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV R. EDDEL- BU'lTEL-REIMERS, a citizen of the-United States, residing at Geneva, in the county of 'Whatcom and Stateof Vashington, have invented'new and useful Improvements in Strut-Coversof Stream-Line Surface, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to those means which minimize the head resistanceof an aeroplane, and it is the device which I already disclosed with mypatent application of June 28,1912 for aeroplane struts, Serial No. 706,481 and for which division was required.

The purpose of my invention is to pro-- vide a strut-cover of streamlinesurface that will be able to adjust itself according to the direction ofan air-current which may strike it, though the direction of saidair-current may be another than that in which the strut travels.

Figure 1 is a horizontal cross section through a rigidstrut ofstreamline surface, the strut traveling through still air in thedirection from A to B. Fig. 2 is the same, but struck by a cross-windthat blows from C to D. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through a rigidstrut of round cross section, said strut being surrounded by myadjustable strut-cover;.the strut traveling in the direction from A to Band met by an aircurrent that moves from C to D. Fig. 4 shows a sideelevation of a strut provided with my adjustable strut-cover ofstreamline surface, said cover made movable around the strut by means oftwo ball bearings, one at each end. Figs. 5 and 6 show in detail theconnection between strut-cover and the strut proper, front view andlongitudinal section respectively. Fig. 7 shows a horizontal sectionthrough both strut and cover ust above the ball bearing. Fig. 8 isanother section through strut and cover showing the independence fromeach other clearly.

Vhen a rigid strut 0f streamline surface Fig. 1 moves through still airor is met by an air-current which is opposed to the direction of travelof said strut, but parallel to it, then the streamline surface of thestrut serves its purpose well. But if the same strut Fig. 2 is struck bya side-wind or when the aeroplane, of which the strut may be a part, isdescribing sharp curves during its flight, then this strut of streamlinesurface loses all its previous advantages and oifers a much greater headresistance than an ordinary strut of square, round, or other crosssection. In order toeovercome this disadvantage, as pointed out above,of a rigid strut of streamline surface or a fixed cover of streamlinesurface, I provide the movable strut-cover of streamline surface,preferably of sheet metal, which can adjust itself according to anyirregularities that may occur in the air'through which thestrut travels.

In Fig. 3 I illustrate a case in which a round strut surrounded by anadjustable strut-cover is hit by a side-wind CD, the strut traveling inthe direction from A to B. This arrangement shows clearly the advantageover the rigid strut of streamline surface Fig. 2 under the sameconditions in that the strut-cover being revoluble around its strutimmediately complies with the new conditions.

Fig. 6 illustrates in detail the connection between adjustable cover ofstreamline surbearing consisting of a collar 3 which is shrunk on thestrut, the balls 4, and the ring to which is welded the strut cover 1.The connection between cover 1 and ring 5 is reinforced by a bridgepiece 6 of an essentially U shaped cross section.

The connection between movable cover 1 and the strut 2 as described isonly a suggestion and may be effected in any other way that suits thecircumstances of the particular case.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A revoluble strut-cover of streamline surface. said strut-cover to beconnected to its strut in such a way as to allow said cover to swingfreely around the strut, substantially as described and for the purposespecified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 100 name to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GUST. R. EDDELBUTTEL-REIMERS. \Vitnesses PERCY Livnsnr, G. A. WRIGHT.

